STARKE – A Clay County business owner was murdered by her estranged husband on Thursday, Jan. 29, moments before he turned the gun on himself and committed suicide, according to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.

Rachael Renee Kerr, 43, of Starke and who owns Loaded T Nutrition on College Drive in Orange Park, was found dead near her home on Northeast 6^th Lane near the Clay-Bradford County line. Loyd Alan Kerr, 50, of Middleburg, broke into her mobile home at about 5 a.m. He woke up his 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son and took them to Rachael’s car after he tied his estranged wife up.

As he was escorting his wife to the car, a neighbor who had been called by the wife arrived. The wife tried to escape, and Loyd followed. The children told sheriff’s office investigators they then heard one gunshot. Rachael was found dead with a wound to her neck.

Loyd returned and asked his children if "they wanted to go to heaven with their Dad?" He pointed the gun at each, and they both said no. He then pointed the gun at himself and fired.

The couple filed for divorce in July. The wife obtained a restraining order against Loyd Kerr on July 28, and he was arrested on Nov. 8 for violating the terms of the protection order after his mother contacted Rachael on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 on his behalf. He called his mother from the Clay County Jail and asked her to call Rachael to see if they could get back together.

He was charged again on Nov. 9 by talking with Rachael on Sept. 14 while she was at work.

He was arrested again on Nov. 11 for contacting Rachael through Facebook on Sept. 15, according to Clay County court records.